SpiceJet Ajay Singh to acquire NDTV's editorial right

Given this turbulent relationship between the Modi sarkar and the channel, its promoters and anchors, and the fact that a majority of the mainstream news channels are now viewed as those that look at the Centre "more favourably", it had often been speculated in the media that it was only a matter of time before NDTV have to pick one of at least four options.

A report in The Hindu headlined "NDTV denies reports of takeover by SpiceJet" said, that sources at NDTV denied reports of SpiceJet's Ajay Singh taking over majority holding in the news channel.

Thge media report, widely circulated ever since it was published today morning, claimed that Ajay Singh, co-founder and owner of SpiceJet, is set to take control of NDTV along with editorial rights, as he has purchased 40% stakes in the channel.

Ajay Singh also played an active role in the launch of DD Sports and was also behind the planning of DD News. Singh is a known supporter of the ruling BJP and has been even part of the party's 2014 election campaign.

In June, the CBI raided the offices and homes of NDTV founder Prannoy Roy over allegations of defrauding a bank, a move the news broadcaster denounced as a "witch-hunt" to muzzle free speech.

Amid the speculations around the change in the ownership of NDTV, it is expected that a formal statement by the channel would come by Friday evening. Well, for one, he also controls budget carrier SpiceJet.

Ajay was serving as officer on special duty in telecom and IT, and information and broadcasting ministry during NDA regime under the leadership of Atal Bihari Vajpayee. Mahajan was the telecom and IT minister in the Atal Bihari Vajpayee government. "Running a business is very similar", he told CNBC-TV18 in a recent interview. Will he be able to run a media company with no political biases and editorial intervention, especially at a time when the government policies and the BJP and RSS' ideologies are facing many uncomfortable questions?